Abstract Blue energy (or salinity gradient energy) is a renewable, carbon-neutral, and continuous electrical energy source that can be obtained via the reverse electrodialysis (RED) technique. The viability of this technology strictly depends on the performance and cost of the ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) that compose the RED units; designing the optimal membrane represents a critical challenge due to the complex relation between the performance, properties, and structure of the membrane. In this work, we present our findings on an electrospun cation-exchange membrane based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a strongly acidic cation exchange resin, with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an additive. We contrast it with a similar membrane produced with the more conventional casting solution technique. The electrospinning technique provides thinner and more homogeneous membranes than those synthesized via casting. The membranes were characterized using morphological, spectroscopic, and analytical methods. Scanning electron microscopy images depicted an intertwined nanofiber mesh within the membrane. We also synthesized the same electrospun cation exchange membrane without SDS; this membrane presented 63% less swelling, and a significant increase in the fixed charge density (CDfix) (119.6 meq/g) when compared to its casting solution counterpart (34 meq/g). This suggests an enhanced permselectivity, and thus better performance for blue energy generation in RED units.

中文翻译：

---

反电渗析静电纺丝法合成多相PVC阳离子交换膜

摘要 蓝色能量（或盐度梯度能量）是一种可再生的、碳中性的、连续的电能，可以通过反电渗析（RED）技术获得。这项技术的可行性严格取决于组成 RED 单元的离子交换膜 (IEM) 的性能和成本；由于膜的性能、特性和结构之间的复杂关系，设计最佳膜是一项关键挑战。在这项工作中，我们展示了基于聚氯乙烯 (PVC) 的电纺阳离子交换膜的发现，聚氯乙烯是一种强酸性阳离子交换树脂，十二烷基硫酸钠 (SDS) 作为添加剂。我们将其与使用更传统的浇铸溶液技术生产的类似膜进行对比。与通过浇铸合成的膜相比，静电纺丝技术可提供更薄、更均匀的膜。使用形态学、光谱学和分析方法表征膜。扫描电子显微镜图像描绘了膜内交织的纳米纤维网。我们还合成了相同的不含 SDS 的电纺阳离子交换膜；与浇铸溶液对应物 (34 meq/g) 相比，该膜的溶胀减少了 63%，固定电荷密度 (CDfix) (119.6 meq/g) 显着增加。这表明增强的渗透选择性，从而在 RED 单元中产生更好的蓝色能量性能。扫描电子显微镜图像描绘了膜内交织的纳米纤维网。我们还合成了相同的不含 SDS 的电纺阳离子交换膜；与浇铸溶液对应物 (34 meq/g) 相比，该膜的溶胀减少了 63%，固定电荷密度 (CDfix) (119.6 meq/g) 显着增加。这表明增强的渗透选择性，从而在 RED 单元中产生更好的蓝色能量性能。扫描电子显微镜图像描绘了膜内交织的纳米纤维网。我们还合成了相同的不含 SDS 的电纺阳离子交换膜；与浇铸溶液对应物 (34 meq/g) 相比，该膜的溶胀减少了 63%，固定电荷密度 (CDfix) (119.6 meq/g) 显着增加。这表明增强的渗透选择性，从而在 RED 单元中产生更好的蓝色能量性能。